Delhi Kalkaji gangrape case solved in 12 hours: How police tracked down 3 accused

The Delhi Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed report from the police on the case and the action taken so far.

In Short

• 17-year-old allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as police
• Asif shot during police encounter, two other accused also arrested
• Delhi Commission for Women seeks detailed police report, strict action

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men who posed as police personnel inside Aastha Kunj Park in Delhi’s Kalkaji area on Monday evening.

Within 12 hours of the alleged assault, Delhi Police arrested all three accused, Asif, Hemant and his younger brother Mukesh, after examining CCTV footage and technical inputs. Asif was shot in the leg after allegedly opening fire on a police team.

The Delhi Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed report from the police on the case and the action taken so far. It also called for swift and strict action and said it would monitor the investigation to ensure protection and justice for the girl.

Here is the complete sequence of events, from the teenagers’ visit to Kalkaji Temple to the arrest of all three accused:

SEPTEMBER 21, 7 PM: TEENAGERS VISIT KALKAJI TEMPLE

The girl had gone to Kalkaji Temple with her 17-year-old male friend on her birthday. After offering prayers, the two entered Aastha Kunj Park through Gate Number 7 at around 7.30 pm.

They walked to one side of the park and sat on an unoccupied bench. Three men, aged between 25 and 30, approached the teenagers when the park was relatively empty.

According to police, the men posed as police personnel and began questioning them. They allegedly used legal terminology to frighten the two.

The accused then separated the girl from her friend and took her to a secluded part of the park.

Police said Asif allegedly threatened the girl with a pistol and a knife. Her friend was held at a distance while the three men allegedly took turns assaulting her.

The accused threatened the girl and her friend before fleeing the park.

8.45 PM: GIRL’S FRIEND CALLS POLICE

The girl’s friend made a PCR call at around 8.45 pm, following which a team from Amar Colony police station reached the park.

The girl and her friend recorded their statements, and she was taken to AIIMS for a medical examination.

Police and forensic teams examined the crime scene and collected evidence.

An FIR was registered at Amar Colony police station under Sections 70(2), 61(2), 115(2) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Sections 6 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act were also invoked.

Several teams were formed to trace the accused. Police examined CCTV footage from the park and nearby areas.

Descriptions provided by the girl and her friend, along with technical inputs, helped police identify the suspects.

SEPTEMBER 22 MORNING: ALL THREE ACCUSED ARRESTED

Police received information that Asif would visit the Amar Colony area. A team from the southeast district’s Special Staff laid a trap and asked him to surrender.

According to police, Asif fired three rounds at the team. One bullet struck Head Constable Rajesh’s bulletproof jacket.

Rajesh fired two rounds in response, one of which hit Asif in the right leg. Asif was arrested and taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre. A pistol was recovered from him.

Police intensified their search for the two remaining accused after Asif’s arrest. Hemant and his younger brother Mukesh were subsequently taken into custody.

The police investigation has also found that one of the accused had previously been expelled from a gym over allegations of harassing women.

UNSAFE SPOTS AT PARK, PROBE CONTINUES

Aastha Kunj Park is managed by the Delhi Development Authority. The park has poor lighting and several isolated areas that local residents consider unsafe. Locals also alleged that its gates were not closed regularly.

Delhi Police conducted patrolling and a safety awareness drive at the park on Tuesday following the incident.

Police are questioning the accused to establish their individual roles, trace the source of the weapons and reconstruct their movements before and after the alleged assault.

Investigators will examine CCTV footage, forensic evidence and the girl’s medical report as part of the investigation.

- Ends